By: Miriam E. Marks

We can all agree that the key to California’s future is rooted in high-quality public schools. And yet, too many of our students are skipping class, dropping out and falling behind. So what can we do?

State Superintendent Tom Torlakson is investigating this key question as part of his Blueprint For Great Schools, which recommends, among other proposals, the creation of an Education Technology Task Force.

While we’ve seen task forces come and go, this one at least has a real Gov. 2.0 component – the Superintendent is asking for community feedback on the detailed technology plan.

The modern California Education Technology Blueprint is available here. Take a look and let Superintendent Torlakson know what you think.

Share Your Opinion: Online and In-Person

The Brokers of Expertise website is ready and waiting for feedback on the Task Force memorandum. You can post your comments online and send any materials worth reading to the Task Force itself.

Prefer offline conversations? State Superintendent Torlakson’s Principal Advisor, Craig Cheslog, will begin a statewide listening tour that allows anyone to learn more about the recommendations provided by the Task Force and to provide direct feedback.

The community briefing events schedule is as follows:

• September 18: 10am to 12pm Stanislaus County Office of Education, Martin G. Petersen Event Center

• September 20: 10am to 12pm State Center Consortium – Fresno Area • September 25: 1:30 to 3:30pm Orange County Department of Education • October 2: 10am to 12pm Association of California School Administrators – Ontario Office

A plan is just a start – the details are in the execution and the funding to make plans a reality. But with more community voices, we can help California schools use technology to improve learning.